Molla and his lawyer have denied all charges against him but…

Molla and his lawyer have denied all charges against him but… Bangladesh court upholds death penalty

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has upheld the death penalty for high-profile member of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, Abdul Quader Molla, dismissing his appeal for a final review.

The court on Thursday cleared the way for the execution of Molla, but set no date for the death sentence.

Molla had been scheduled to be executed on December 10 over alleged crimes committed during the independence war from Pakistan in 1971.

“There are no more barriers to execute Quader Molla. There is no chance of any confusion,” said Attorney General Mahbubey Alam.

The 65-year-old is one of five key Muslim leaders condemned to death over alleged war crimes.

Molla and his lawyer have denied all charges against him.

“My client (Molla) has been deprived of fair justice. But since the highest court has made the decision we have nothing more to say,” defense lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said on Thursday.

The trial has sparked international outcries with critics slamming it as unfair. Jamaat-e-Islami party has also warned of “dire consequences” if Molla is executed.

Molla was initially sentenced to life in prison in February, but that sentence was toughened up after he appealed against the ruling.

Several top opposition leaders have so far been convicted by a controversial tribunal for their role in mass killings during the war, which saw then East Pakistan break from Islamabad.

The Bangladeshi opposition accuses the government of seeking to intimidate them by trying their leaders for alleged war crimes committed more than 40 years ago.

Human rights groups also say the court’s legal procedures fall short of international standards.

People have taken to the streets in major Bangladeshi cities on many occasions to protest against controversial trials of opposition activists and leaders.

Nearly 200 people have been killed and thousands wounded in clashes with police since the beginning of this year.